The Nintendo Switch could be harder to find in 2022 due to component shortages

Despite its age, the Nintendo Switch is a highly sought after console due to its portability and impressive repertoire of games. Nintendo even revitalized it with an OLED panel, although many fans and enthusiasts would have loved to see an upgraded Switch Pro instead. However, getting your hands on either Nintendo Switch model in 2022 could be a bit cumbersome if a new report is to be believed.

The speculation comes from Nintendo head honcho Shuntaro Furukawa, who states that the Switch will fall victim to the global semiconductor shortage towards the latter half of 2022. It is also worth noting that the Nintendo Switch (and peripherals such as cartridges) have been short in supply in several markets since its 2017 launch, so the console being out of stock isn't exactly a new phenomenon. This time around, however, Nintendo reduced the sales forecast of the Switch to adjust for component shortages.

On account of the Nintendo Switch and the cheaper Nintendo Switch Lite using nearly identical hardware, it is unlikely that the latter will be immune from the said crunch. Nintendo had to take drastic steps to guarantee availability this holiday season. Like its compatriot Sony, who hauled millions of PS5 consoles into the UK via jumbo jets to ensure availability for Black Friday, Nintendo hauled several million Switch consoles by rail in Europe and by air in the United States.

While a Nintendo Switch shortage is bad news for gamers, it could shape up to be a good thing for competitors such as the Steam Deck, Aya Neo Next and Razer/Qualcomm's Snapdragon G3x developer console. They would be more than happy to fill the void left by Nintendo. However, these companies could also face the same difficulties as Nintendo sourcing parts for their handhelds.

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